What a bitch

Until today, only once I have been asked to keep my cats away from the porch door of a dog owner because her dog goes berserk when he see my cats. I have wholeheartedly complied with this request since and have done my best to keep my cats out of view of said dog who lives below my apartment, which doesn't make compliance easy exiting or entering the building.

Today, I was walking my cats as usual when a lady first thinking I was a crazy lady wandering around the place, then realizing I was walking my cats started yelling at me how rude it was to allow my cats on her porch and how it is impolite it was not to have my cats on leashes when it is the rule that all cats be on leashes. To my knowledge, I have have read only Dogs are required to be on leashes by city law and apartment manager's rule. She explained her dogs go crazy seeing my cats. I believe her dogs would still go berserk if my cats were on leashes and off her porch. I did not wish to provoke an argument over the fact that my cats were not on her porch, they were located on the nearby sidewalk hidden by the bushes, nor was her dogs barking at my cats at present moment. Precious did come towards the porch when the lady started yelling at me and her dogs started barking when he did and I calmly picked him up to take him across the street where there are no windows or porches, only bushes. She continued screaming at me long after I removed Precious from her side of the street and walked down towards the street on the other side of the complex before the river (Yeah I heard her the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time but she keeps repeating herself even though I am out of sight). I know dogs bark at rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, in addition to cats and can not ask a dog to stop being a dog simply because it is frightening my cats. One dog owner walking by told me her dog went berserk viewing a cat in a window so this lady certainly can't blame me for her dogs barking. Our outdoor time is only one hour and most of the time my cats are enjoying the wooded areas behind the garages. It was today that they first explored the wooded area before the road where a bike trail runs through to leave behind the lady screaming at me. I complied with her loud request to remove my cats from her dog's eyesight and I do not understand why she is still screaming at me how rude and impolite I am, what else does she want? And by the way, there are many places on the fences between the next door houses and the apartments where my cats can squeeze through and I can not follow where a leash is ineffective.

If there is a cat obeidence class in the city, I would be happy to take my cats to it. I do call them and give them praise when they obey, but like children they do not always obey or they would never be locked outside from refusing to return. The first year I had my cats I had them on leashes and harnesses. They escaped from the harness when they were spooked by barking or loud noises. I refuse to tighten the harness so tight they can't breathe or move in order to stop this. They also do not follow the leader so I am pulled like a wishbone since CATS ARE NOT DOGS and jump in the bushes causing me to let go of their leash, especially behind the garages where it is too hard for me to walk through all that brush. I tested my cats off their leashes and they do stay nearby often coming when called so I removed the harnesses and walk them without a leash. And then there are times where they behave like cats and ignore my calls. I do my best keeping them off tenents porches' and guide them from barking dogs behind porch doors. They do run and hide when a tenent is walking their dog to observe them from a safe bush, often the owner will guide their curious dog away from my cats without me saying one word. I am sorry dogs at the apartment complex despise my cats but I have no power over them when said dogs are inside tenents' apartments. Maybe the bitch's dogs need obedience classes so she has more control over them.

Besides, if I did find another place for my cats where there are no dogs, there is no guarentee they won't take dogs in the future. Well, better go to bed. Post later. Bye!

Darn PA's

With a new speakers to make the PA's (public announcements) louder from complaints they can't be heard (they still can't be heard outside the airport though the radio can be), they added a new voice blasting through speakers atlernating between the time, don't leave baggage unattended every five seconds (I timed it on my watch), and a booming Testing 123 Testing along with the radio playing constantly and other PA stuff in the old voice (the security thing has been raised to orange, please don't leave bags unattended) alternating every 5 minutes. Sometimes the radio/ old voice and new voice play at the same time. It's driving me crazy I'm ready to kill someone. I can't hear my customers either with it constantly playing 5 seconds and difficult to page anyone because it won't allow you to page with the PA's playing. And then with the new speakers, the coworkers smoking outside can't hear pages like they use to, but the radio can be heard playing. I hate the airport. This is as bad as listening to Christmas music 8 hours every day between mid November and Christmas Day. Have no fear of impending shoot outs, after a few days I'll be so use to the PA's I won't hear them anymore. Here's hoping. Post later. Bye!

Snack battles

I read in the paper today how a mother was whining how her protective mothering was being foiled by unruly parents exposing her 6-year-old son to junk food at the school's snack time.
The Nerve!

Apparently not every elementary school has snack time provided by parents taking turns. My sister a school librarian said low income schools don't do this because free lunch students can't afford to bring snacks to class. The ones who do have parents complaining about their child's allergies, preferences, and spread of diseases with homemade treats. So this lady's problem is really with the parents of her child's classmates. Her declaration was that children should get healthy snacks her child is allowed to have at home, not what other children are allowed at home. This lady sounds like my sister trying to keep my niece innocent for as long as possible.

Yes, my sister the school librarian has treats in the form of fruit and crackers, with the occasionaly pb&j sandwich on wheat bread. She threw a fit at a family picnic when my Mom gave my niece a cheese curl. Then she freaked out on me when I allowed my niece to eat from the Halloween candy bag that was given by the manager's office at the apartment Halloween party last week. I thought ripping the gift bag from my niece's grasp and not let her have anything from it would be cruel. My sister disagreed. Bad Aunt also gave her Tootsie Rolls a kid knocking at my door was selling for his school last summer. I didn't tell her the snack chips I gave her a few times, though she rolled her eyes at the licorice I shared with my niece. I heard her complain how her babysitter gave her charges potato chips when she ran out of dried fruit.

I think it is good for my niece to learn that there are in fact different rules at different places and with different people. Home, school, work, public events, spouses, friends, grandparents, parents, siblings, adults, children, babysitters, bosses, and coworkers all have different rules of conduct. It is just the way things are. So unless you plan on keeping your kid locked up until adulthood, they will be tainted by junk food, bad words, parental advisory music, and unruly ideas that their family is weird and everyone else is normal. It's called growing up. Get used to it. Post later. Bye!

The China Effect

I saw a commercial for a news story of a family in the area trying to live a week without any products Made In China from the lead paint scare in children's toys. The reporter said if we Americans all banned Chinese made products we could make great change in Chinese regulations of dangerous products. Good luck with that. Chinese made products are everywhere.

Every shoe but New Balance brand is Made in China (Yes even expensive brand names are Made in China). New balance in Made in USA.

Every other piece of clothing in Made in China, with few exceptions of other 3rd World Countries. Some labels say American made materials assemblied in a 3rd World Country.

Flags, books, toys, electronics, pillows, blankets, decorations, and furniture sitting in American homes mostly will have Made in China labels. Well, computers and TVs would be Made in Japan. Chinese products are going to be very hard to ban from any home, it will as easy as that one church down south tried to ban Disney. Disney doesn't just make movies, books, and resorts, it owns ABC, Pixar, Jim Henson Muppets, and has deals with fast food places, toys companies, cereals, and snacks to sell images of Disney characters. I prefer another tactic to change Chinese regulation practices, one that will work. Post later. Bye!

Today's events

I almost lost Precious. I was outside searching for him and heard him meowing. I thought he was under a car or something. One of the people moving in said to bring the cat back out. Precious can't resist an open door so I assume he snuck in. He just rolled in dirt so I'm sure they didn't touch him or try to catnap him.

I got an update on that friend's daughter whose husband kicked her out after losing her job. She was looking at these dating sites for her soon to be former husband to find his profile. He has a profile claiming he's single and has a romantic username like Cupid or Romeo (you get the picture). This daughter sent him an email stating that last she heard he was still very much married. Plus he has been busy selling his boats, houses, motorcycles, etc. and pocketing the money. Her lawyer has frozen his assets so he can't sell and will be hit with Contempt of Court if he does. That will teach him he's not the center of the universe, right?

Then when I come home I read my email bill from the phone company and they charged me twice because I didn't pay last month's bill. Funny how with automatic payments set up I didn't pay my bill and get a late charge fee tacked on. I guess the phone company has to make money somehow. Well, post later. Bye!

You know...

You know you are the only person who dresses up for Halloween when people asked why you weren't at work in a costume on days you have off.

Well, a gal at the car rental next door was dressed in pj's but nobody else. Post later. Bye!

Happy Halloween

Hope you had a Happy Halloween. Monday my baby niece slept over. I picked her up at daycare and took her home to grab her stuff. She announced she was four now. No, her birthday is next month. She was bursting with excitement seeing the kitties. Got ready for the party in the apartment manager's office. My black cat costume was too tight so I put on Little Red Riding Hood. I didn't want to try on my flapper costume out of fear that it didn't fit either. It took a few guesses for my niece to figure out what I was. Alright, I asked Am I Little Red Riding Hood? and she guessed it. Niece is Cinderella.

About 15 people were there, half in costumes. Most parents with costumed kids didn't wear costumes themselves. The winner of the kid costume contest was Minnie Mouse with her hair in pigtails sticking up like ears. The adult costume winner was Cleopatra. The winner of the coloring contest was the girl who completely colored the picture in 20 different colors. Later I heard the mother yelling at her son for stealing things out of his sister's prize bucket, you see he didn't want to color a picture so he gets nothing from his sister's prize bucket.

We had spice cake, potato chips, minature Reeces Pieces, and apple cider. Well, I had spice cake, niece ate the frosting. She yelled, Hey! when she noticed I was eating her cake and ate one bite and went back to the frosting. They had pop cans available, but thought 3 was a little young for pop consumption (she gets enough sugar and caffeine from chocolate). They already did the pumpkin carving and I didn't want to sit on the floor in a short dress (I had 2 pumpkins at home waiting for me). Then they gave away treat bags and had the kids get in line to trick or treat in the kitchen. I noticed one boy not wearing a costume with a orange grocery sack. I always said working at the shoe store in the mall that I can always tell who the immigrants are on Halloween because they don't wear costumes, carry plastic grocery sacks, and yell Candy! instead of Trick or Treat. They may not speak English but they understand the concept of free candy.

We sat down on the couch by a TV playing Casper w/out any sound. Niece was unsure about the boy sitting next to her and talking about Casper, but she ate a few pieces from her bag quietly while I talked to the boy. People started leaving so I figured the party was over. We got out of our costumes, watched my Halloween specials on VHS, and I carved my pumpkins. Since she colored the picture for the contest, she wanted color some more so I got out a couple books I had stowed away for her visit. One of my boyfriends called and asked to come over the next day, but I said no because my niece was here and then I will do laundry at my sister's house all day. My niece is worse about strangers than Frodo who hides under the bed or atop of the cupboards. Every person at the party that came near her, she moved away from. I called my sister and gave her the party report. We went to bed and the next morning she was coughing. I gave her some cough syrup. but it didn't go away. Had her breakfast oatmeal and explored the Niece box.

A box of toys and Princess bath towels especially for Niece's visits. She loved the Barbies and wanted to take them home. No, they stay here for when she comes over. Maybe I'll get her a Barbie for Xmas (I already have her birthday presents). The Barbie shoes were murder to get on and one pair I couldn't get on cause the doll's feet were bigger than the shoes. I got her cranberry juice in a sippy cup and the cup leaked. I had to screw it on several times to get it to stop leaking down her shirt. We then took out the kitties and played on the playground. We lost Frodo in the playground and I had Niece stay in the apartment with Precious while I searched for Frodo. He never came, not even a meow. I packed the car and let Precious out since I know he meows at the window all day and night for Frodo.

Go to sister's house an do laundry. Made her lunch from my sister's fridge since we didn't have much time at my place cause I searched for Frodo a long time. Niece thought she would take a nap on the rocking chair when her Daddy left for an allergy shot appointment. She moved to the couch and then to her bed for her nap. When she woke up as I was walking past to the bathroom, she cried how she wanted to leave. I told her she could leave, she had a good nap (brother-in-law saw her stirring when he returned). She cried again how she was wet. Yep, her pants are soaked and I'm sure the sheets are too. Wiped up her legs and changed her clothes as my sister walked in the door. Finished laundry and went home to feed the Trick or Treaters.

The apartment place had signs made for the residents to place on their doors so the kids know which doors to knock on. I heard 2 sets of kids walking around downstairs, but they never came up to mine (I'm on the 3rd floor). I looked out the windows, but no kids were walking around. I think most probably went to the mall or to the nearby houses to get more candy. Oh well, I'm sure my coworkers will appreciate 4 bags of candy I got for the neighbor kids. I watched Halloween movies I thought too scary for my niece.

Today I went clothes shopping. I tried on my dress clothes to make sure they fit since my cat costume was too small. One skirt I could not zip so that had to be tossed. Now I'm off to bed. Post later. Bye!

No Dr. Phil today

I turn on the TV and ongoing coverage of an explosion in NE Des Moines of a Barton Solvents with dangerous flammable chemicals with 50 gallon drums exploding and several area fire departments taking a defensive position. News crews are forced back so the fire hose water looks like white lines. They are busy warning not to travel into NE side or they will be turned around. Police are directing people off the Interstates. Neighbors are not allow to take pets out because they are worried about the toxic fumes that could be spreading. They are tracking the smoke now in Ankeny to the north of Des Moines. Apparently it has been burning for 2 hours. Though on a positive note, all company employees are accounted for and there is only one minor injury. Post later. Bye!

Bad, bad cats

I struggled to get up today (it doesn't help I get up late on my days off) so the cats only got 20 minutes outside. Well as you can imagine they didn't want to come back in. I whistled and called, carried Precious inside, but couldn't find Frodo. He wasn't anywhere where I left him. I did hear a distant meow so I know he heard me, but he won't come. I leave Precious meowing in the window and I was suppose to be at work 5 minutes ago. Get to work 15 minutes late and complain I hate my cats. They were also not cooperative this week on my days off either. Especially when the hedge trimmers with noisy chainsaws started trimming next to my door and I had to wait for them to move on to get Precious back inside.

Get home much much later, and can't find Frodo. I whisper my calls checking out the usual hiding spots. No response, not even a meow. Though Precious is going nutso in the window. Fears of a run over Frodo, animal control using those sticks with loops to capture him, then finally he is just hiding. He has to be hungry by now so I keep trying. I know he is not at a neighbor's place cause he is terrified of people. Go inside and Precious is bonkers pacing everywhere I go and meowing out the window. Take my shoes off and figure trying again later, a woman has her dog outside so Frodo is not coming with a dog present. But Precious won't stop meowing at the window so I put the shoes back on and grab the fishing pole (Frodo's favorite toy that often gets a response from Precious). I checked the machine for messages, in case the shelter called since my cats are microchipped.

Take Precious with me since they have a knack at finding each other. Like a bloodhound, he sniffs the sidewalk and goes down one sidewalk. Dog barks. We scurry down the building and try to go around to stop the dog from barking (neighbors have a bad habit of using profanity when dogs bark excessively). Around the corner we go out of dog's sight and oh, a man with 2 dogs coming down the street and heads for our spot in the darkness. Lady tries to shush her dog and finally goes inside. Turn back around and go back the way we came. Is Precious really smelling Frodo and just enjoying himself? We go down another sidewalk and I follow Precious swinging the fishing pole. We hear a meow. Precious continues down the sidewalk. Then I see the stray cat (white fur reflecting so well in the street light) lying by the covered pool next to the stacked patio furniture. Precious continues down the sidewalk and lies down. I call for Frodo, maybe he is hanging around the stray cat as he has in the past when he refuses to come back in. No answer. I searched the furniture with Precious stretched out on the sidewalk.

I find a dark figure under the chairs with white paws and white belly reflecting in the street light. I call Precious back and stare at the dark figure to make a few whispered calls. I knew he wouldn't come with dogs around. Frodo comes out w/out so much as a meow. He is enticed by the fishing pole the stray cat ignores. I swing and swing since I can't enter the pool fence. Precious starts to come back and stray cat realizes he is losing his pal. All 3 cats follow me to the door. Get Frodo inside, but Precious refuses to stop playing with the stray cat. He runs inside as I swing the fishing pole. Now Precious won't come.

I come back from letting Frodo into the apartment. Preicous is chasing the stray cat around. I approach to pick up Precious and he runs away. Down the sidewalk, around the building, cross the yard, into the parking lot, past the fence separating the houses and apartments, and finally into the first house's yard. I grabbed him and he freaks at a large truck passing by on the street. I managed to hang on w/out being scratched. I walk up the drive tighting my grip on the squirming Precious. I did set him down when he almost got loose and picked him up again. After inside the door, he went right for the door and wandered the stairs wanting his chance to explore outside at night. I walked up the stairs he followed, followed better once I tossed a glove up the stairs. Cats finally home again and just under an hour. Precious keeps meowing to go outside. Not til tomorrow. I hate my cats. I pray for bad weather so the cats will come back in. Post later. Bye!

Saw the play

I went to see Camelot. Bought another ticket, started my laundry at my sister's house, and borrowed a dollar from my darling sister to pay for parking. Niece was disappointed I left, but she is coming next week so that made her a little happier. Sat in the 2nd row on the right side of the stage, the other ticket was front row right smack in the center. But side is good to cause you can see backstage. I was so close I couldn't see their shoes, just ankles on up (lights on the stage blocked the view). But I did see their make-up. Usually when I go to plays I'm so far back their faces are blobs.

Lou Diamond Phillips was handsome as ever in a goatee. I had a good time. Went back to sister's and finished laundry. Chatted with my sister and planning the overnight visit next week. I brought over The Little Mermaid for my niece to watch. She refused to watch it cause it was too scary. Little Mermaid scary? Oh well, she 's four.

Well after I get home, I'm playing with Precious and Frodo on opposite sides of the shower curtain when CRASH, the shower curtain rod falls down scaring my kittes flying out of the bathroom. All my adventures tonight. Post later. Bye!

What a night

I got a ticket to see Camelot at the theater yesterday online. I spent over half hour examining my dress up clothes cause I have a dozen shirts and skirts that look good on hangers, but none go together. Then on top of that half my clothes are faded and look hideous next to something nice. One of my guys called me while putting on eyeliner so I let the phone ring. I picked the dress I can't figure out the color of (it looks different colors in different lightings). I put strappy heels and hope the place is not air conditioned.

Run out the door since I didn't plan on spending 30 minutes picking something to wear. Grab a jacket that doesn't go with the dress or heels, but then again none of my coats go with dresses. I get to the parking garage and realize I don't have enough money. Forgot the checkbook I intended to bring in this event happening since I was running out the door. I only write checks for credit cards and birthdays, I use my credit card for practically everything so grabbing my checkbook is not a naturally thing. The Event Parking fee is only $4. I have $3 so I'm forced to back out with people coming in behind me. Drive around trying to find a meter, but of course they all occupied and I didn't want to walk around in the dark Downtown streets in a dress and heels for a mile. Besides, the play starts in 5 minutes. So I went home. Sure I could return but the parking guys won't be there all night and I still miss half the play. Besides my make-up is messed up so I will just stay home.

The show ends on Sunday so I won't be able to see it another day. Tomorrow I have to do laundry at my sister's house. I can't can't go to work Thursday in stinky clothes. I guess this is what I get for being spontaneous. Post later. Bye!

Sleepover

Saturday night after work I went over to the guy at work's apartment just to hang out. White walls w/out any adornment, but otherwise nice place. We watched the the Queen Elizabeth II movie centering around Princess Diana's death. I thought they made the Queen out to be a big joke and Prince Charles as a big wuss. Then they had the royals go hunting after the news of Diana's death. Does shooting animals to death while mourning the loss of somebody make sense to you? I hope that part was made up. I didn't care for it.

His cat hid from me (must be Frodo's twin) every time I saw it. He asked "What are you thinking right now?" I replied, "I'm thinking I have to pee." We flipped around channels and he massaged my neck claiming it was very tense. If you sat in a stool for 9 hours your neck would be tense too. My neck is always tense. He kissed me goodnight. I slept on his black leather sofa. Next morning, I tossed around waking up and he asked if I was awake. Some movie about an Irish mountain that turns out to be a hill and residents transport 18 feet a dirt to make it a mountian again was on when I came out of the bathroom in my work uniform.

I left shortly after and realized the Des Moines Marathon was running past his place. I had to take the long way home to avoid the blocked off streets. Came home to let the kitties outside and do cat chores, before going back to sleep. I woke up with Frodo cuddled up against me as usual. Then got up to go to work. And BTW, both my guys called me on Saturday night and had brief conversations before I hung up. Post later. Bye!

This week's events

This week's events start Tuesday. I found out in our apartment newsletter they are having a Halloween party with prizes for best kids and best adult costume on the very night I will have my niece overnight. I told my sister to pack her costume, though with a warning that "other" kids will be present if my niece could handle that (she is very shy around strangers). They are also having a Trick or Treat night and pictures to place on your door so kids know which apartments to knock on. I don't know if I should do that with Precious desperate escape attempts every time the door opens, Frodo hides at knocks on the door. Maybe place a big bowl of candy in the hallway.

Then Wednesday I had my date with guy from work, our 2nd. We had pizza and saw the new Queen Elizabeth movie. Then came back to my place to play with cats and fact check people and events in the movie. I have a biography of Queen Elizabeth and some stuff wasn't in the book. Online encyclopedia said some of those things not in the book did happen.

Thursday I was sitting at work as usual and a familiar face appears with my coworker. A former skycap (the people who hang around the luggage carousal asking to help you with your luggage with a 2-wheeler) said he keeps coming by just to see if I'm here since he quit. I told him about my date the night before and oh shucks, he wanted to take me out cause he broke up with his girlfriend. I give him my numbers to call and he called after I got home. I said the other guy I'm seeing smokes and I have asthma so we are just waiting and seeing what happens, so this new guy does have chance. Besides 2 dates is not classified as serious relationship. His son is sick with the flu. He is 46 and also has a daughter aged 22 he is helping buy a car for. I walked him outside and someone who saw us go by their counter asked if that was my new boyfriend. I said Maybe. He said my parents would shoot me if I brought home a black man. I said They will just have to shoot me cause I'm 32 and I will do whatever I want. I am thinking maybe at age 46 when he could be becoming a grandpa soon, that maybe he might not want any more children. I would love to be a Mommy like every other woman in the world. But we will cross that bridge when we get there. I just broke up with somebody, I need to have fun with people instead of spending all my spare time with cats. When he called, he said he would come by and make me breakfast sometime. Then said how about today's morning he come and make me breakfast for me. And only me cause I didn't have that much food in the fridge. He didn't give much warning to go shopping and I usually cook for one.

So this morning he knocks on the door, makes me my breakfast of eggs and toast, burns the precooked bacon in the microwave, one slice was okay to eat. Then we took the cats outside. There was hugging, kissing and slips of the tongue. I loss count how many so over 10 is a good estimate. Got the cats back inside and we got into a make out session on the couch after some cuddling and sucking on my ear lobes. Then I saw the clock (Yes I was smooching with my eyes open) and jumped seeing it was time for me to get going to work. He is a big distraction who's going to make me late. Even better, my Wednesday date calls me at work wanting me come over his place after work. 2 hours before I leave is not a good time to asking that question. I told him about the other guy and how shocking it all is, I'm not use to all this attention. Maybe even make Mr. Wednesday a tad bit jealous. I said after work on Saturday when I get off earlier would be better to come over and spend the night. I would just confuse the cats coming home after 9 hours and leaving overnight again. Okay maybe I'm too sensitive over my cats emotional needs, but that's the way I am.

So after breaking up with someone I have 2 guys chasing me at the same time. As a coworker put it, Enjoy it while it lasts. I intend to. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone. Post later. Bye!

Today's adventures

I had a beautiful week, then today and yesterday it gets cold. Today I had to chase down the cats to get them inside. I didn't wish to leave them outside when it is this cold since they probably would hunt down a warmer spot to wait for me, like up a car engine. Go to work to discover new speakers up on the ceiling. Oh goody, now the music will surely much louder than before and hope I can still hear my customers. Then Mom calls to announce my great-aunt (Dad's aunt) died of pneumonia and asks me to email my brother and sister so she didn't have to call long distance. I volunteered to call them on my cell phone and left messages on their answering machines, two less calls for her to make. I thought it is a little insensitive to email a death in the family. I called my manager and got Saturday off to attend the visitation. We weren't that close so I figured I'd skip the lunch, funeral, and gravesite blessing on Sunday. Next after dinner, my allergies go haywires and I can't stop sneezing. I haven't taken medicine all week so I didn't have any in my bag. I just told customers my allergy medicine just wore off. I sucked on my inhaler to at least calm it down so I can breathe through my nose. I finally get home, take some medicine, and after Frodo was pawing at a toy that went under the fridge, got a fishing pole to swish out twenty toys from under the fridge. Oh, and a locust bug I refused to touch. Well better go to bed, I had enough adventure for today. Post later. Bye!

Police caller hoax

I saw on Inside Edition how a manager of a McDonald's stripped searched an employee in her office while talking on the phone to a suppose police officer for 3 hours, even giving this employee a comforting hug while she was wrapped up in a towel. The employee was assaulted when this police officer came to arrest her. McDonald's denied any wrongdoing on the manager's part and blamed the fake cop completely. The employee was awarded lots of money for her humilation and assault planning to use this money to go to law school. The whole thing was caught on security cameras, except the assault part by the hoaxer.

All I have to say is:
Hello?, does McDonald's train their managers to be stupid. We are forbidden to give any personal information about employees or customers over the phone, especially schedules and phone numbers. All we can say is that a person is here or not here, or rented their car or returned their car. Plus, cops don't ask private citizens to do their job. Strip searches take place at a police station after the cop indentifies themself, flash a badge, slaps on cuffs while announcing the charge, reads the Miranda rights, and escorts the suspect to a police car. At most, they will ask to keep an eye on the suspect until they arrive to not arouse suspicion of the impending arrest.

In fact, one of my coworkers was arrested at work and the police never called ahead of time, 3 policemen just showed up and waited for my coworker to arrive at the counter. Another time a friend at the car rental next door argued with a guy on the phone stating he was a police officer and wanted information on a customer. She refused to give the info unless he was standing at her counter with his badge in her face. He was angry but evenutally came in his squad car and showed her his badge. Hey, we could be talking to a stalker or angry ex-spouse for all we know so we are reluctant to obey orders from anyone on the phone. Something McDonald's need to teach their managers. Post later. Bye!

You haven't heard???

Yesterday a friend at work comments as I read my new Vanity Fair magazine that soon I will be buying Bridal Magazines and planning my dream wedding. Oh, you haven't heard my boyfriend called it quits?, I asked. Nope.

Then today I get another friend at work telling me a gal at another car rental could use my assistance. What assistance could I possibly provide?, I asked. She is getting married. Oh, you haven't heard we broke up. Naturally he has tons of advice to give me on how to get a man. Problem is, I don't want a man I want a boyfriend, preferably one that doesn't lie his face off to keep the peace. His advice is to never say you hate the food at the restaurant he picks and just have a glass of water or salad if I obsolutely hate it. Then he says to just get out there. Whatever. I think he needs to find his own girlfriend and quit worrying what I'm doing.

Now I got people asking how my date went last week with a guy at work and soon after asking when I'm getting married. Never, he smokes and I have asthma.

Besides I'll probably never get married cause all I attract is losers who can't give a job description. That's not a complicated question. Yeah, I rent cars to people for a living. See, that was easy. Post later. Bye!

My date

I had a date with a guy at work tonight. The first date after the break up with my boyfriend. I got ready putting on make-up, nail polish, an empire style knit dress, tights, and 3 inch heeled boots. We planned a dinner and movie date. He comes and announces that his friend from another time zone came to town last night and called him right before he left to pick me up, so do I mind going to an unfamiliar place and visit with his friends there. No problem. My date's wardrobe reminded me of the photos of my Dad taken in the 1950's-60's when he had hair. Blue/white plaid shirt with white t-shirt underneath, blue jeans, black shoes and white socks. My guy has his hair and it is graying, yet short and hair gelled upwards (unlike Dad in the 50's and 60's).

This place he takes me to is an outdoor diner where a bunch of guys park their antique cars and drink beer twice a week. I had a Coke. After standing in 3 inch heels for several minutes, I had to sit down. I forgot to bring the sweater I intended to grab tossing Precious back into the apartment. Frodo hid under the bed. I wear a jacket provided by my date when it gets chilly.

After the antique car show, we go over to fancier eating place and his friends insisted they didn't want to impose any further on our date, but I said it was okay since I tolerated their presence the past few hours I can handle more. Besides, his out of state friend was kinda cute. Okay, I did have ulterior motive to saying yes his friends can tag along.

We depart and he takes me home saying he owes me a real date of dinner and a movie. He pets Precious sniffing his shoes and Frodo up on the cupboards. Yes, Frodo let him touch his head and he sniffed my date's hand. He noticed my table of family pictures and I went through who everyone was. He said good night and stepped out into the hallway. I grabbed Precious ready to sprint when the fire door gets opened and said good night with a big smile. I did have a good time. At least I met his friends and know, he is not weird. I tend to attract weirdoes so that is a concern of mine. Post later. Bye!

Wet pussycats

It had rained this morning so everything was wet when we had walk outside. Kitties wandered around and came back inside the stairwell. I tossed balls and mice to encourage exercise (cats do need excitement) until they quit chasing them. Then they wandered outside again and saw them go into the wooded area by the garages. Called them for 5 minutes before going inside, opened a can of cat food from the balcony to persuade them in, and started my dinner in the microwave. Then an angel poked a cloud with a large pin and rain gushed out harder than my bathroom shower. I knew that would make the cats come so I rushed out and called them in. Frodo slipping on the pavement runs to the other door and I run over to let him inside. Called for Precious. No Precious. Go to the other door after getting Frodo into the apartment and here comes Precious. The poor pussy had to swim and wade into the raging river accummulating in the parking lot. Got him in the apartment and tried to dry them with a towel but they ran away from it. I laid the towel on the floor the drenched pussycats took turns sniffing and laying on it. The licked their paws, washed their faces, and shook themselves. They a little moist yet, but drying slowly. I just looked out and it quit raining, the sun is peeking out. What a day. Post later. Bye!

Damn cats

A few days ago I took my cats out as usual, knew right where they were when the hour walk was up, and they ran off while I kept trying to call them back inside for half an hour. I had to get to work so they get locked outside. That will teach them to come when called. Come home with a couple sacks of groceries with my DVD player and work bag, talking to myself the difficulty of squeezing these bags between the seat and the steering wheel. I see Precious walk by and then Frodo comes over. They race inside and dive into the canned cat food I give as a treat for coming inside, then lap up the water dish. At least I didn't have to do cat chores (litterbox, food bowl, water dish) since they were outside all day.

The next day it was a bit windy and Frodo stayed in the stairwell while Precious stayed by the back steps. Neighbor girl tells me my cats were outside yesterday. Yes, I know, they wouldn't come back in. Then she said something with her limited child volcabulary like they tried to get the cats to go into their apartment, but they wouldn't come. If they won't go inside for me, I'm sure they're not going inside for anyone else. Good thing too cause then I really would have freaked if they weren't waiting for me to come home by the steps. Even with street lights, it is dark at midnight.

The next day the came inside when called (another windy day) and wandered a little climbing trees. Then today, Frodo runs off and I can't find him anywhere. Precious helped me look for him, but refused to go inside when I finally gave up after 40 minutes. Apparently, the cat food reward for coming inside no longer works. Damn cats. I'm sure Frodo will come when he gets hungry, I'm home today. Just need to pay my rent and shop for groceries and spend the rest of the day relaxing. Post later. Bye!

PS. I took my garbage out to the dumpster and called the cats once more. I turn around and there is Precious following me to the dumpster and then Frodo howled by the opened garage door (I hate people leaving their garage doors open cause there are holes in the back where the cats can squeeze through, but no human can). I clapped my hands and whistled so he found me. They followed me to the back door, but stopped short of going in and took off. Little Buggers. So carried Precious, then Frodo into the stairwell and ran upstairs to encourage going home. They like to race me upstairs. So they gobbled their canned food and relaxing on the balcony. It is so nice today. Post later. Bye!

Poor Frodo

Took the cats outside and there are men at work, very noisy machine and floating rubber tubing with them. Walk was good, but when returning only Precious came back. Frodo refused to move passed the men digging a hole next to the building next door. I tried food, his favorite toys and carrying him back, but nothing worked. When the men starting leaving, he came when I called him and very hungry. Poor Precious was meowing at the window when I went outside for him. He wanted his buddy back.

Later when I tossed a ball for the cats Precious leap frogged over Frodo lengthwise to get it. Frodo flat on the floor looked around like, What just happened? Frodo got his revenge jumping over Precious chasing a ponytail holder I flung and startled Precious. I have grasshoppers for cats. Post later. Bye!

Black, black, or black

I went out shopping to look for a pair of boots to go with a new dress I bought recently. The boots I found were black, black, black, red, black, chocolate brown, black, ivory, black, and the color I was looking for tan. Of all the boots for sale in 3 stores, I only found 1 pair of tan boots. They're okay, heel is a little high and toe is narrow but I think I can tolerate to wear them without murdering my feet. I love shopping but the mono-style of it is tiring for someone who loves a variety. Silly me thinking shopping early in the Autumn season would get a better selection. When one shops at the end of a season, one usually finds more mono-style that is deemed too ugly to wear and never can find the correct size in something one does like. Ah, fashion. Post later. Bye!

New guy

Friends at work are busy pushing a certain single guy my way. He asked me out but we can't decide where to go. That might be a bad sign saying we don't have much in common.

Why are these friends so pushy about this guy?, you ask. He's alive, single, mature adult, and has a job. If those are the qualifications to push a guy on me, no wonder I'm having bad luck finding a boyfriend. I need more than a wallet to fall in love with. But try to explain that to friends eager to place a warm body next to me. I guess they changed their minds that men are nothing but trouble and don't waste my time looking for Mr. Wrong.

Post later. Bye!

I think we are through

Romeo doens't think he will get the assisstant manager job cause there are 2 other people applying with much more manager experience than him. So much for fate.

Then he writes a long email detailing the pros and cons of our relationship deciding our distance in miles is too great. He complained I didn't go to his Boy Scout picnic and didn't jump at the chance to meet his grandparents. He continued with his waiting for me to convert to his ideas in religion and homophobia, and it wasn't happening. He interpreted my comment once not feeling ready to have children as I had no confidence in caring for an infant. He declared he was moving too fast in giving me that promise ring and his lack of experience cause the rushing. He said I could keep it as a symbol of our friendship. He just wants to be friends now. He says we live and learn and then move on. He believes I hate camping and he loves it. He said if he moved to Des Moines he would look me up and say hello.

Um, do you think this break up has something to do with his job or pessimism of not getting a better one?

I set him straight explaining I babysit my niece and very confident I can care for an infant, just don't wish to do it by myself. And I promised my sister to babysit when she is in China so I am not moving anywhere soon cause I'm not screwing my sister cause he suddenly doesn't want to move. I also explained there are steps to commitment he was skipping with getting that promise ring. Kissing, hugging, snuggling, sleepovers, often living together, usually occur before buying a promise ring and committing. I do love camping since childhood, though whe traveling I prefer hotels. I explained a boy scout picnic is not a place to take a girlfriend, how is that fun for the girlfriend? Say if we had a son who was in the boys scouts, I would have no problem. I told him that if he still wanted to end our relationship, then be that way and contact me when he makes up his mind what he wants. Asshole. Post later. Bye!

Fun night

It is amazing, I pissed off only one customer tonight. He has a reservation through an internet site, but it is not prepaid. Must swipe his credit card for payment. He wants to pay with someone else's credit card, or pay cash cause his debit card has no money in the account. No. We don't take card numbers over the phone and we don't take cash upfront. He demands that I call the owner to get an exception to the rules and can't understand the difference between paying cash upfront and paying cash when he returns. The difference is that upon return we have the car. I am not calling the owner because, as I explained to the customer, he will say "You know the rules". I have been here 6 years and the owner doesn't even let his friends and family pay cash deposits. Plus, it actually requires the manager's password to take any cash and directions to override the system and I ain't calling her either, but I didn't tell the customer that part. Let's just say I will call security before I call the owner over taking cash deposits. He will just have to be mad at me and take the issue of this not being prepaid in MY computer system with with said internet site. What his friend's computer says means nothing to me.

He makes me talk to his friend on his cell and she keeps screaming Hello, Hello, Are you there, Hello... while I keep answering that I am here and how may I help her. She gets bitchy with me and screams at me that I need to answer her when she speaks to me. I did, and what can I do for you. Yes, it is says the reservation was made through said website, but there is no indication that it is prepaid, some are and some aren't from this company and I can't explain why that is. She wants her friend back. Hand him back the phone. He leaves a bit and says he has to go so charge the card. For somone with a zero balance, it goes through without problems. Know what, even when things are prepaid we still need to swipe a card to give them the car to have on file in case they extend the rental or lie about refilling the gas tank. Post later. Bye!

Case of the Missing Ponytail Holders

A while ago I got these new No-Slide ponytail holders with rubber elastic sticking out. They slide out of my hair anyway. So, this week Frodo discovers them and knocks them on the floor to bat around the linoleum bathroom floor. He loves to slide them under the door and paw at it from underneath the door and then run around the door to pounce when it gets out of reach. Like a puppy, he retrieves it after I fling it and now I can't find any of my new ponytail holders. There are a couple in my work bag I will have to keep in the bag if I want to continue using them. After they have been on the floor and chew on, I tend to no longer wish them to be in my hair.

Last week, a friend came by to show off her new puppy. They just got at the local animal shelter. The puppy was 10 months Golden Retriever named Jake that they planned to take to the shelter's dog obedience classes called Good Manners Class and Puppy Kindergarten. Her 3 cats refused to play with this puppy so eager to play with them. The real test would the stepchildren. Well they decided to take back the puppy. My friend cried in front of the shelter with the dog and her husband took the dog back instead. She didn't want to give it back, it was such a good puppy, but they weren't home enough to take it outside and play with it. And it was too big compared to their small house. Plus the cats hide all the time from him. My poor friend.

Post later. Bye!

Doctor's office

I ran out of my inhaler stuff for my asthma so go get a refill. The prescription expired 2 weeks ago in August, so that will teach me to pay attention to expiration date. The pharmancy faxes the doctor's office and they call my my apartment because the doctor wishes to see me before he grants another prescription. Their records show I have not been there since 2005.

Go to the office early in the morning and see the doc. He wants to have me try a new inhaler to see if it works better and gives a prescription to the old one. He also prescribes a new medicine on the market, singular, that is for asthma and allergies. We go through my personal and family history of allergies and asthma and wound up talking about me needing to see a gynecologist because sexual active women need to see one every year. I don't recall mentioning being sexual active (hello!, I can't get a date so how does this turkey think I'm getting any). Plus, I'm unclear how we got to this subject from talking about allergies, I'm not here for fertility problems or fibroids.

Anyway, I go to the desk to pay and the receptionist asks me if I will be coming here on a regular basis. Excuse me?, I explained I come when I need to. I didn't go into that I have been coming here since I finished college so how often I show up is really none of her concern. Then she gives me an application for public assistance for health care, based on how much you make. Yeah, I'm familiar with public assistance from research my Mom insisted upon when I moved out of my parents' house years ago. I make too much for any public assistance programs so I tore up the application when I got home. Pay my bill and collect my prescriptions from the receptionist.

Then on to the pharmancy to hear, "Are you sure you want these inhalers, they really expensive". I say, "I know what they cost". Let's see, I can A: Go to the emergency room every time I have an asthma attack or B: Buy an expensive inhaler. How does one choose? Guess what, the singular costs twice as much as these inhalers (pharmacists had a coupon so I got one inhaler free cause it is a new product). Yeah, $103 for 30 pills equaling 30 day of medicine. It will be a long time before I do that again, I have to pay for car insurance in couple months. I have not felt any different since I took the singular so maybe it doesn't work, we shall see when I take it a few times. I paid $103 for these suckers, I'm taking them all. Post later. Bye!

Oops

I came home from laundry at my sister's house and managed to lock Frodo out in the hallway. He must have been in the corner between my apartment door and the stairs fire door not to see him. I put my few groceries away and laundry, then heard Frodo meowing as if trapped or wants to go outside. I check the cupboard doors he likes to open and couldn't find him. I noticed Precious walking to the apartment door, naturally I assumed he just wanted outside, but took a chance since I couldn't find Frodo anywhere. He went straight to the litterbox. Had to toss Precious back into the apartment, then Frodo, and Precious again to quickly shut the door. Nothing else exciting today besides my sister taking my niece to get her picture taken. My niece had so much fun my sister took her into a neighbor's yard since her yard lacks pretty flowers.

Post later. Bye!

Tuck in that shirt

I missed a big to do at work this week, a couple of coworkers can't get along. First it started with name calling over a music cd not found, then escalated to not tucking in shirts, and the bossman got involved threating to make us wear to "real uniform" of dress shirts and ties if we don't start tucking our shirts in. I'm unclear how all this went from cds to untucked shirts, but anyway.

Of course I hear this 3 hours after I recited my birthday cake and dinner to the bossman, while I had an untucked shirt. Perhaps he didn't notice with my sweater on cause he said nothing about my shirt. My coworker telling me this said the boss made of fuss over the guys not tucking in, but didn't say anything of us gals not tucking in. She agreed that an untucked shirt feels much cooler in the hot summer than tucked in does, which is why in the summer I leave it untucked and in winter try to tuck in to keep out the cool draft moving up my shirt.

I emailed my manager asking about this winter cause the long-sleeve shirts I bought last spring don't stay tucked in (believe me I tried but every time I reached for a pen half my shirt came out). So asked if I wore a sweater over my shirt, would that be acceptable. I don't want to have to get super large shirts to get it long enough to tuck in and then have rippled pants from all the fabric squeezed in. Post later. Bye!

Happy Birthday to Me

A Very Happy Birthday to Me, to Me.
A Very Merry Birthday to Me, to Me.
Now blow the candle out my dear and make my wish come true.
A Very Happy Birthday to Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Post later. Bye!

Poor Frodo

Took the cats outside and neighbor boy comes by with his dog. Dog moves too close for comfort with Frodo, so he runs away, which makes the dog chase him with this poor kid hanging on to its leash. Frodo flies up a tree to the displeasure of the kid. He wants me to watch him climb the tree and get Frodo down. Frodo hisses at him. No, I say, he will come when he is ready, he is afraid of dogs. This kid will be scratched badly if he tries to wrestle with Frodo. Kid throws a pine cone at Frodo trying to get him down. I tell him not to throw things at my cat, that is mean. Next his sister grabs the wood shavings around the tree trunks and throws it at Frodo and I say the same thing to her. She laughs. They disappear with the dog to have have a woman come by with her dog. Frodo ran around a corner of the building so I go get Precious probably wondering where we went after the woman and dog are out of sight. He follows me around the corner and here comes Frodo.

Precious did the weirdest thing today. He acted like he couldn't recognize Frodo from a distance. His fur got riled up, arching his back, showing off his side to show how big he is compared to little Frodo approaching. He hops with his back arched (almost amusing) and Frodo now has his tail fur frazzled. Frodo edged forward cautious with his squeaky meow and Precious postured as he sniffed the other cat. He relaxed realizing it is Frodo and the cats ran up different branches of a tree. There is a tree that split toward the base and grew in opposite directions. I wonder if he is getting near-sighted cause he acts like he doesn't recognize me when I approach him outside until I do my normal cooing like Hey Sweetie. He looks in all directions until I'm closer and then comes to me with a meow. But then cat's eyesight is more arranged for movement, not still photography like ours. Well, nothing else to report other than a very boring day at work. Labor Day is tomorrow so all the usual business travelers will be coming tomorrow instead of today. Post later. Bye!

Dave Berry newsbrief reaction

Dear Mr. Dave Berry of the Miami Herald: I read in our local paper, The Des Moines Register on page 7B, about your comments to the Arizona Republic on how you questioned if Iowa has airline service or hotels and called it pathetic that our whole economy depends on getting New York reporters to eat breakfast with Mitt Romney. And by the way, last I heard the Iowa caucuses are January 18 with New Hampshire's set for January 24. Plus, I would not recommend leaving Iowa in the early in the morning the day after the caucuses unless you love waiting in line for 4 hours to go through security. And yes, the airlines bring in passengers 365 days a year, though no flights are scheduled after midnight or before 5 A.M.

Let me straighten you out on a few things. Our economy does not depend on the primaries and caucuses. I work at a car rental at the Des Moines International Airport and our busiest month is August when there is Knoxville Sprint Car Races, Indianola Hot Air Balloon Races, and Iowa State Fair in Des Moines occur close together. This year the Italian-American Community Center had an Italian Festival and Republicans had a Straw Poll closer to a carnival in nearby city Ames when these other events were going on. Everyone running for president shows up at the Iowa State Fair to pass out food to potential voters. Too bad those ABC and CNN guys coming in only reported the debate the candidates had in downtown Des Moines (they were all here anyway). We get tourists from Japan and Britain coming to just see the"Fair". Other times ABC and ESPN arrive are during sporting events such as college football, car races at now 2 racetracks in Knoxville and Newton, and professional wrestling from the WWF and WWE. They also came when Ames held the Special Olympics this year, though not so much during the Governor's Convention hosted by Des Moines this past year. I have also rented cars to people from the BBC who mainly do documentaries and presidential visits.

Since Des Moines is not much of a tourist trap, our economy depends most on insurance companies and banks home offices kept here. Our tallest building is owned by an insurance company. You may think Des Moines as a small town, but it contains 30 gangs fighting for drug dealing territory with a police run Gang Task Force to at least keep the violence down. If you wish to witness a shooting, robbery, or both try dining at a place close to DrakeUniversity. Several bars on Army Post Road have had shootings so many times the police call them public nuisances causing the owners to close their doors and reopen under other names. Granted every limo you see in Des Moinesis rented, the rich here in the suburb West Des Moines drive BMW's and Mercedes' and belong to any 7 private golf clubs. If you like non-American food, there is Italian, German, Mexican, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Cantonese,and Japanese restaurants as well as a few Irish pubs. And as for hotels and airlines, we have 54 hotels in Des Moines and suburb areas and 8 airlines to choose from, though actually getting a room and an airplane seat during the caucuses is questionable.

I'm sorry you have such a low view of my area of the country, but you if think only cows and cornfields exist it is probably because you only viewedIowa from one of two interstates.

Sincerely: Jordan Harvey

Vet visit

It was Frodo's turn to go to the vet for his booster shots. And he fought like a tiger spreading all 4 limbs to prevent going in the carrier. I finally got him pushing on his shoulder to keep him from jumping out. I guess he's learning. He meowed as if he were dying all the way to the office. He was terrified at the vet's office panting like crazy. The poor kitty. He is 12.5 lbs. with good teeth, good ears, good claws, and went right back in the carrier and cowered into a corner. He panted all the way home and calmed down reaching the stairs and opening the door of the carrier. I turned on the AC after our walk outside which mainly was in the stairwell. He is good til next year. A few days ago I put on flea stuff to their dismay. The other day a neighbor commented how raccoons in the area can carry rabies. I explained my cats had their shots. Besides my cats are so wimpy they probably run away from a giant raccoon. Sometimes wimpy is good.

I redid my closet with new connecting drawers and a shelf. I have more floor space. Now I have to do the storage closet. I have so much stuff that it falls over and the door takes a tumble. I have the door leaning against the wall. Think I'll get some shelves to get stuff off the floor. I also want to see the Nanny Diaries, my sister borrowed the book and didn't have time to read it so I gave her a book report. Rich people are psycho. The writers were on Oprah once. Well better go shoppping for shelves. Post later. Bye!

Miss Teen South Carolina

On Inside Edition the introduction of an interesting answer of Miss Teen South Carolina on Why 1/5 of children can't find the U.S. on a world map was advertised, so of course I have to hear this. Well I missed putting together my drawers and shelf in my closet, so I plug into my internet's MSN.COM page and it was a big news item. If you didn't watch the Miss Teen USA pageant Friday night (I was at work), it goes something like this.

Question: Why is it that 1/5 of kids in America can't find the US on a world map. Answer: Many people don't have maps and went on saying that we need to help children in South Africa and Iraq with their education and help them find the United States on a map.

I probably would have said something like kids sleep through history and geography thinking it's not important, or say 1/5 of school children are too young to take geography class or better yet, because that question is not on the mandatory state tests, or they are use to political maps with the 50 states divided and can't identify the US on a elevation map without state and country borders.

What would your answer be? Post later. Bye!

Trip to boyfriend

My trip started lousy. First I slept longer than planned cause of a late flight I had to wait for, then after taking my cats out I had to go shopping because of delayed flights on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday lost my initiative to go shopping after work, and finally I got lost or miss turns 3 times. The first misstep was at the corner where I turn to get to the Interstate, road/corner was closed so I got lost driving around trying to find the Interstate in Rush Hour Traffic. Next due to construction on the Interstate and lousy signs, I miss my exit to head toward Muscatine. So I turned around in Ankeny (10 miles north of Des Moines), get off the correct exit better labeled, and head toward Muscatine. Now Muscatine is south of Davenport so when I saw a sign saying 30 to Davenport, I got out the directions Romeo gave me to find the hotel. I missed my exit and had to turn around. Finally get to the hotel and checked in, and I open the door to a woman in bed thinking I'm the maid. Go back to the desk. The couple were not assigned to that room in the computer. I took it the couple changed rooms and were still listed in the old room when the girl called the room. Girl takes $10 for the mix up and tries to find another hot tub suite for me. They don't have anymore hot tub suites so I get downgraded from a king size bed to 2 queen size beds knocking the prize down $16 instead of $10. it was right next to the intruded upon room so I could hear their TV blasting. At least I didn't walk in on them having sex.

Call Romeo on my cell phine and start eating my Long John Silvers. He calls up and I'm surprised he got there so fast. He takes me to meet his mother who shows old pictures of the family. She was very nice and chatty taking us around the house on the guided tour. A little small but not too crowded. Talking, I figured out I'm a lot like his Mom. His stepfather thought Romeo was weird when they first met because he would go to work and go home and go back to work. His girls are druggies and party animals so that was his "normal". The cat that is terrified of strangers climbed onto my lap. She must have smelled my cats and knew I was friendly. I also found out Romeo got a nickname as a kid when his former stepbrother referred to him as Bert from Sesame Street and the former stepbrother was Ernie. Other people I was introduced the next day all call him Bert.

He drove over to his friend's house and introduced me to his 2 guy friends and one guy's girlfriend living in the house. They were smoking on the porch. We went back to the hotel and he opened his birthday present. He liked his silver and gold watch, and a harness and retractable leash for his kitten Honey. It is easier to train a kitten than an old cat on these things. When I was in the middle of a story, he gave me my birthday present, a promise ring. He got a kiss on the cheek and I finished my story. He asked if I wanted to watch a movie. No, I wanted to go to bed. After I turned off the light, he got into the other queen size bed and took his shirt off. Early the next morning he says "Good Morning" and I fall back asleep. I wanted to go swimming since NO HOT TUB, but couldn't get up in time, and I missed the free continental breakfast. He got up at the same time as me and took a shower after me. I left a tip for the maid and stole the paper pad and pen. And we were off again.

I got the grand tour of Muscatine and walked down a trail on the river. I got tired so we turned back. I was introduced to kitten Honey, so sweet and soft. Romeo's apartment has very little furniture. His bed doesn't have sheets or pillowcase, single bed and boxsprings lying on the floor. TV with tall entertainment center right next to the bed along with a recliner next to the bed. The living room had a table and some hard chairs so we sat on the floor to play with Honey. We saw his stepfather leaving to go fishing and went over to his guys' friend house. We petted the shedding dog and soft gray cat. Later went to his father's apartment. Father promised to be clean-shaven and sober when meeting me. He was alseep and Romeo woke him up. He was so ashamed of his messy apartment I stood out in the hallway. We met at Dairy Queen. Romeo had not eaten all day and yet was not hungry. I ate like a pig and had leftover fish from Long John Silvers for lunch. Maybe it's all the Pepsi and water he's drinking. We went to see the Hairspray remake. He has never seen a musical before. We touched shoulders and arms at his mother's house, but nothing more so I was determined that he get his arm on my shoulder. I waited for the right moment as his arm was brushed up against my arm. When the girl sang how happy she was cause a cute guy touched her, I grabbed his hand and placed over my shoulders. He held out his other hand for me to hold. We held hands throughout the movie. FINALLY!

As we left he put his arm around my shoulder and took me back to his tiny apartment in the attic of a house with a hallway of steps leading to the door. We played with Honey again and he checked his messages. People at work wanted to meet me so I followed him to the store so I could leave afterwards. He grabbed my hand in the store and walked to the backroom. Met everybody working. Anyway, he guided the way out fo town and I went home. Precious and Frodo were so happy to see me. Post later. Bye!

Horrified

I was out with my cats when a girl about preteen age (10-12) comes out with her puppy trotting along. She drops the leash handle (retractable kind) and the puppy picks up the leash and runs away. Amusing. She grabs it back and the puppy continues running away. The girl jerks the leash and the puppy slides across the sidewalk with a yelp. Assumed it was accidental until she jerked it again causing the puppy to somersault and dragged an extra distance with another yelp. And she jerks it again causing the puppy to somersault with yet another cry from the puppy. And another drag across the sidewalk with a whimper. Then she lets the puppy go a distance, stops it with the retractable button stopper, lets it go and stops it, and lets it go and stops it. I was horrified with my cats sitting at my feet watching this too (they are very wary of any dog appearance). The girl sees me and sits on the sidewalk inspecting the puppy's fur and petting it on her lap. I'm sure my mouth was hanging open from the shock. She takes the puppy inside with it trotting along on the leash. What does one say to a kid yanking a leash incredibly hard that the animal somersaults and yelps? I gave her the beneifit of the doubt that it was her first puppy and didn't know any better. Post later. Bye!

How's your day?

I had the pleasure of the new management advertising updates of the New Era of Making Customers Happy by emailing most recently 40 pages of press releases from stock market prices on top car rentals, ours included, to Hybrid cars will be available at Avis soon to new government laws making car rentals more expensive to Old Management and New Management having meetings to discusss the company's plan for success. Like I care. I'll just read the Cliff Notes labeled "How All This Effects the Ability to do my Job". That's all I care about.

I PO'ed a couple customers today. One wanted to pay in cash at the end of the rental and just pick up their car from us w/out paying a thing. That's not how it works and they released the f-word a few times before leaving. I was close to explaining that if they don't stop cussing at me I will call security, but they took the consumer's affairs # and left. I said, Please do call customer service because the reservation line should not tell people we take cash upfront.

Then some lady said she needed the spare set of keys that she knows we have here because her 4-year-old son locked the doors with the keys inside. Couldn't find the spare set anywhere. Will have to call a locksmith to open door and make her another key, and she will have to pay the locksmith for his sevices and keys made. She disagrees that SHE should have to pay for keys because it is our fault we don't have spares. Explained she could have been in possession of the spares when she rented the car. She calls back declaring she found the car dealership on her own, not from me, and was informed they are closed (Guess why I didn't give her the # to the car dealership). Someone gets the door open and keys are nowhere in the car. Since she can't have the spare set, she wants to exchange cars. Now, not only will she be paying for new keys made by the dealership, she will have to pay for the towing. That set her off demanding the manager, the owner, the corporate office, anyone who will say she doesn't have to pay for all this. Next she demands the owner to personally drive to her another car. No, owner is at home, in bed most likely and I'm not waking him up. Manager says she pays and if she doesn't like our customers service, she can call roadside assistance for a better locksmith, so that is the end of my phone calls to higher authority. Tell roadside when they call that the lady has been told she pays for everything we do for her and put guy on hold to help customers at the counter After I call the towing company to set up this exchange, she calls to complain I never called her back. I was on the phone with the towing company. And no, we don't own the tow truck, we have a contract with the company so we get a special rate. She wants the rate. Don't know until the tow company gives us a bill and the owner handles that so I can't say what precisley he does with the bills he gets. Had to call the towing people and the make the poor girl fill out another form to change the exchange to a car recovery. So she comes to get the new car, complains the owner never showed up with her new car, and tells me for the 100th time she ain't paying for anything cause I'm imcompetent and it is our fault we don't have spare keys to all cars, and she is never renting from us again and telling all her friends not to rent from us cause we have bad customer service. Yeah, well, she can type her problems on the CNN tickertape for all I care, she will have this same problem at any other car rental, I guarentee that. And she will pay or she will be placed on the Do Not Rent List and can't rent from us again, I can guarentee that too.

I am tempted to look for a job that has no contact with people, but really, what job exists that has not contact with people in some shape or form. Better go to bed now. Bye!

Death to a dream

I'm sitting here in a rut with a dead end job with no future, but great pay and benefits, and try time and time again to earn extra money without breaking my back doing it or gettign scam out of money in the process. Read about great work at home opportunities in a magazine so look them up at home. Trying to turn over a new leaf is very hard when one gets slammed with EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Those words are death to a dream.

One site I looked up was for virtual assistant where one can be a personal assistant over the internet. I got the computer, got DSL, got a great printer, got a landline phone, No Office Experience. Strike One.

Next I checked on being a tutor. I'm not a teacher but did get a college in history. Passed the subject test and got stumped on the essay question "What are the 3 most important issues addressed in a tutoring session?" Never tutored before (I tried but my fellow students needed math help, not history or English) and never been tutored so I have no idea the 3 most important things about a tutoring session. Strike Two.

Lastly, I tried to be an online guide or expert. I have cats, sales clerk experience, and a college degree. The topics desiring expert advice are sports, medicine, webpage designing, and natives living in tourist attractions. Strike Three. I'm out of ideas.

My only conclusion I can come up with is that what I'm good at doesn't pay well. That's why I'm poor and stay poor. I tried to freelance write once but newspapers and magazines want journalism majors still in college to pay squat (if at all) to. The best pay I saw offered was a penny a word for a 500 word essay. That is $5 an 500 word essay. I make more renting cars to people. I shall remain in my rut. Post later. Bye!

Poor doggie

The Iowa State Fair had its first casuality, a dog in a car with its windows rolled up died today from the heat. Poor dog. I assumed it was in the parking lot and not behind the farm animal buildings. I wish people would leave their pets home in the air conditioning. It's better than dying of a heat stroke in a locked up car.

Iowa State Fair doesn't usually have casualities because a few buildings are air conditioned for people to cool off in and the livestock buildings have huge circulation fans. Post later. Bye!

Today's events

It is official, I'm in hell otherwise known as ragweed season. Then the TV says the temperature is 90, heat index 103, and my thermometer says 106. I turned on the AC to rid the humidity and relieve some of the allergies. I took a shower right before taking my cats outside and came back inside an hour later with soaking wet hair from the sweat.

Anyway, outside Frodo caught a bird. It landed on a neighbor's bird feeder and Frodo jumped at it. It flew over to the sidewalk by the hand rail and rested in the grass. Frodo caught it. He carried around showing me and Precious his trophy for a couple minutes before setting it down. He growled when it didn't move and pawed at it. He picked up a wing with his paw and whined that it wasn't moving. I thought it was dead since it didn't move, but soon it fluttered and Frodo attacked. It remained still and fluttered again to have Frodo carry it around in his mouth another minute. I decided to save the bird, Frodo just wanted a toy not a meal. Frodo took it away from my reach and finally relented to me touching his trophy. I picked it up and its claws rubbed against my palm. It breathed hard and turned its head. I placed it on a tree branch and Frodo looked at me wide-eyed taking away his toy. On the branch, the bird did not move and Frodo arched his back for petting. We finished our walk and went back inside. I checked the bird still motionless on the branch breathing hard. It was brown on top with white underneath so it blended into the tree bark well, it will be okay once it figures out it another day of life to live.

I'm enjoying my days off lying on the couch watching TV. Republican Straw Poll in Ames, State Fair, Knoxville Sprint Car Races, Indianola Balloon Races all happening close in proximity makes a lot of customers wanting cars at the same time. Had John Edwards Campaign people thinking they had 3 vans reserved. Nope, not on the list. Let's fix that right now. No, don't have any vans or cars available. If they had gotten a reservation from the reservation line they would have gotten a suv or caddie cause we are sold out even for famous people's groupies. They keep coming back not understanding they don't have a reservation for 3 vans, and they don't have a reservation number to look up to prove that they do. Then they come back again asking if the credit card was the problem. No, they are not on the reservation manifest, therefore they don't get a car. People are so much fun.

So has anyone seen the new Wendy's commerical with the chicken driving a car and the police in an alley chases the car, and after almost getting squished by a truck, chicken stops the car. The cop comes out with a red hair wig. Then chicken dishes sold at Wendy's. The chicken was escaping from Wendy's. I thought it was cute. Post later. Bye!

New closet

I was thinking of my upcoming Fall Cleaning of my apartment and my birthday present for myself. I will have to do this Fall Cleaning soon cause my storage closet door keeps falling off the track because of the things falling over and pushing on it. And Yes, I buy a birthday present for myself every year because the only birthday gift I receive is $10 from my Mom. I always attemt to buy something frivalous and expensive that no one in my family would ever buy for me. This year it will be new drawers and shelves for my closet. I have cardboard drawers that suit me just fine storing off season clothes, until my cat Precious starting tearing them up. I open a drawer and he jumps in, then I close a drawer and he chews and claws to open it back up. I ordered them online so I wouldn't have to carry from my car up 3 flights of stairs. The shipping costs as much as the items ordered, but I try to convince myself the money is worth it. Anyway, I thought of rearranging my living room furniture and redecorating the walls of of my bedroom. Got to draw that on paper before moving anything, it goes faster that way. Post later. Bye!

Scratchy

Last week a neighbor asked me to remove my cat from her porch because the cat antagonizes her dog scratching at the glass patio door. Today Precious again walked over to the dog porch and I went over to remove him before the dog saw him. I trip over the dog leash tied to the porch railing and nearly threw Preicous. Feeling the jerk, Precious jumps off my grasp tearing my shirt and scratching my arm in the process. Dog is now scratching at the glass door upon hearing our commotion. Precious stares down the dog. I push on his shoulder to get him to move out of dog's sight. After a couple pushes he moves over and dog calms down. Post later. Bye!

Funny ad

Saw a funny ad I had to share:

Yamaha Trumpet, great condition, bought new 2 years ago, barely used (he never practiced), hard shell case included $400

Post later, Bye!

Surprise package

I recieved a surprise Monday, my niece is in town visiting my sister. They went swimming the first day and took her to see the new Harry Potter movie. She had seen it before, but not in IMAX formation. It is like a roller coaster ride and I don't care to see one ever again. My brother is also visiting to help with redoing the shingles on the garage. They rented a nail gun to quicken the job. I didn't know one could do that, but then I never inquired about one. My Mom says Dad would never use a nail gun even if you gave him one, cause he likes doing things the hard way. That would explain why he takes so long to finish projects. On my sister's garage, my brother works the nail gun while my brother-in-law lays the shingles down. Guess he doesn't like "More Power" Tim Allen jokes about.

Tuesday the nieces painted figurines and I did laundry. I made my baby niece cry cause I was reading "her" Avon magazine. I offered for her to sit on my lap and read it with me, but no she wanted to look at it by herself. She likes to look at the kiddie stuff with Elmo and Dora on.

Today after guys get done with the roof, we are co-carting and minature golfing. I never been in a go-cart before so this will be an adventure. Post later. Bye!

Bad introduction

A neighbor kid was walking his dog when we came outside. Naturally they frizzed up their fur and kept their distance. Frodo (w/ door cracked open) ran upstairs and the boy yanked on the dog's leash up the stairs to introduce my cats to his dog. I hollered out not to scare my cat, he afraid of dogs, and he came back out. Then the neighbor girls came out with pudding cups and Precious runs to them exspecting attention. The boy took his dog back inside. The girls who usually chase my cats all over to pet them asked me to take away my cat. I take him away and of course he runs back to them when I set him back down. I thought maybe it was because they were eating, but no, they explain their toddler sister is afraid of the cat. Funny, she always was eager to pet them before. The older girls stroke Precious once as he did his rounds confused why nobody fawning over him. I give him attention instead. Well, the boy goes to pet Frodo and chases him down the stairs and around corner. The kids go inside and I can't find Frodo anywhere. I called him for 30 minutes before giving up and went to work. I had to call him for 2 minutes after I got home before he came in the light on the steps. He was hungry and thirsty when he came in and won't go out on to the balcony. He is chasing a fly buzzing around. I don't worry about insects coming in cause they chase anything that moves.

I got my boyfriend's birthday present tonight, along with a shampoo sample. I can't wait to give it to him. Yes, he is forgiven since I'm not one to hold grudges. Perhaps we will see the new Harry Potter next time I see him. I was thinking perhaps the 3rd week of August I could drive to Muscatine and visit him.

Got to talk to a Iowa State Patrol guy about an abandoned car sitting unattended on the Interstate rented in San Diego. I checked for roadside assistance notes for any breakdown or accident. None. San Diego was surprised their car was in Iowa, they rented it yesterday. Yes, a California man knew where Iowa was. I got the license plate number and that's what popped up on the computer. Well manager there said to impound car and they will have someone go pick it up.

Let's see. The guy at the car rental next door who got into a motocycle accident this week has driven their city manager crazy with constant phone calls of him tattling on his coworkers, so nobody is missing him. Apparently he doesn't get his facts straight before tattling either. He even told a coworker she wasn't doing enough returns and when she complained he had his privaledges revoked to look up that stuff. For someone going to college to learn business management, he sure ain't learning his place in the hierarchy, which is the bottom. Well better go. Post later. Bye!

what a weekend

We went to my Mom's family reunion and introduced loverboy to almost everybody. We saw the goats, chickens, cows, and sheep at Mom's cousin's farm. Afterwards, he changed my window screen and made a hole with the scissors he used to get the screen back in the window, and he put it in upside down. I didn't have enough screen left over so I went out to Home Depot and found the same stuff. I got loverboy Wendy's to thank him for doing that. It was late when he finished so I asked if he was leaving or did he wish to stay here. He slept on the balcony in his sleeping bag. I did the cat chores and turned off the lights, and he just remained on the couch through my "Good night". Next day, he is on the couch wearing the clothing he had on yesterday. He did move. He said one of the cats came out on the balcony and startled him.

I didn't have much breakfast food since I didn't know he would be spending the night. I did cat chores and took the cats outisde. He came for most of the walk and asked how much time left. 15 minutes. He went in to take a shower, and changed clothes. I made cheese sandwiches, took out the clean dishes and rinsed off the dirty ones in the sink (Proof that I do clean dishes). he said he knew out to get there from the Interstate so I directed to the Interstate from my place. Had to go on a faraway street because the closer ramp is closed. On the Interstate we miss where to get off because so many cranes and machinery were before the exit with a small orange sign saying Exit. I couldn't recall the last sign. He asks if this is where he gets off while talking about his cat, now if he wasn't talking so much while driving and paid attention we could lower these instances. I don't know where to get off, They're doing construction. Sorry everything I know is pulverized. Well the signs explain we needed to get off and turn around. We make it to an amusement park sign. He asks how to get there. I answer back that he said he knew how to get there. I don't, it has been too long to recall every turn. I said, Lot 5, bridge, Lot 4 remember that so we can find out way back in the parking lot. He asks for a pen to write on paper in his pocket cause he can't recall that all day. I say in my head, 5 fingers bridge 4 to help remember.

He asks what we shall ride first. I say we go to the end of the park and work our way to the front. He says he likes to fly by the seat of his pants and see what happens. Probably explains why nothing is happening between us. On the ski lift ride and brush my knee next to his on purpose, and he moves over. Then while waiting in line on the first roller coaster, I brush my hand and arm against his arm four times, and he pulls away. Ok, I'm ready to break this guy's heart cause I can only conclude he can't handle physical contact. And this joker can't wait to get engaged so we can have sex and says he dreams about holding my hand. Dream on. He plays skee ball to win a dinosaur from Shrek. He asks if I want it. No. He will give it to Honey to play with. He is unsure about the name Honey, it's so wild and crazy. I say, Then name him something else. No, he'll keep Honey. He is excited about all 3 cats living together. He had 3 cats once and they were all over the house. They had to go to the animal shelter cause his new landlord didn't allow pets. His landlord just started allowing cats this year. As we get off the water ride, the park person grabbed my arm cause I was getting up too fast and about to hit my head. I feel someone grabbign my hand and realized it was loverboy helping me off the ride. Finally some contact. Maybe I'll give him one more chance. On one ride I was shifting my weight to make it spin more, and he sat there like a stone.

I went shopping and we had ice cream. We got on the train and again brushed my knee against his. He looks down, and moves his leg. Ok, maybe this isn't working and want to break up with him again. He remembered Lot 5 as we left. I asked if he never plays his radio in the car, it wasn't on when we came. He isn't familiar with our stations so he doesn't play it here. I just his hit the search button until I find something I like. If it is a long highway journey, I'll play CDs. Guess what, he doesn't have any CDs, period. He said he needs to get a CD player on the way to the family reunion. At home, he pets the cats. I ask if he is blowing off or staying again. He will be leaving in an hour. Since he will be here a while I show my scrapbook from England. He saw my brother's book at the reunion and we had to stop before finishing to leave. I showed it to finish seeing the trip. After show and tell, I started reading Harry Potter. I put my feet next to him, and he moved his leg but my feet still touched him. Since I never have broken up with anybody before, guys always were the one leaving me behind, I shall write some drafts before sending him my break up email so I don't get misinterpreted. I just got an email stating my birthday gift to him was just shipped out today. I don't know whether to mail it to him or send it back to Target.com. It is a nice watch. I'm just exhausted making this relationship work. I can't take it anymore. Post later. Bye!

Where's my kitty?

I took the cats outside as usual and half way through our outing, I heard an animal squealing in the distance and someone shouting "Get it, get it!" Where's my kitties?, my mother instincts kicked in. Precious meowed from shaded grass nearby, but Where was Frodo? The squealing didn't sound like him so I was hopeful he was not being chased, besides he's terrified of people and runs away anyone approaching him. Frodo comes sprinting out of distance bushes and heads for the door, then runs upstairs when I open it. I observe very intensely how he was walking and running to catch any possible limping from injury. No limping, but he did have dark spot on his white paw. I gently glided my hand over his paw and he didn't flitch or meow so I assumed he was okay. Must be dirt. The squealing continued another minute and stopped. Maybe they were chasing the stray cat that hangs around the bushes next to the garages, or rabbit, or squirrel. Who knows? Post later. Bye!

Wake up call

Earlier this morning I opened the balcony door since the cats love the cool air. Later I woke up to a squawking noise and growling. I assumed it was the cats pouncing each other (they make strange noises when playing) and then I saw a brown object fluttering around squawking. Chipmunk? No a chipmunk couldn't get into my 3rd floor place. I slipped on my glasses and saw feathers. It looked like some sort of wren remaining still until Precious or Frodo pawed at it. It looked adult w/out any baby fluff, but then it is a little late for baby birds. The growling was from Precious. They chased it into the living room and back to the bedroom to the living room and back to the bedroom. It squawked for about 30 min. and I thought it flew back out the balcony door to freedom. I went back to sleep. I wake up to discover a dead bird in my closet with puncture wounds. I grabbed a bath towel and folded it twice to avoid touching it. I picked it up and dropped it off the balcony. Apparently, Precious and Frodo lost interest when it died. When I was filling the food bowls, I saw the same kind of bird go into a hole in the eave outside my window. I have no idea how a bird got into my bedroom. Post later. Bye!

See Jane use tools

Whenever something needed fixing, my Mom always said to just let Dad do it. The problem is that it takes Dad 5 minutes to accomplish the job but 2 weeks to get to that 5 minute job. I get tired of waiting so I learn to use tools myself. Granted I often have to use a dictionary to read the instructions, but eventually figure things out. Look Dick. See Jane use tools.

Since my cats have made monster holes in my window screens, I got a pet-proof screening complete with tool, spline, and directions. I had to provide the scissors. The instructions said things like use convex side of tool to push screen into groove and use concave side of tool to push the spline into the groove. Did you follow that? This is why my Dad changes the oil and windshield wipers on my car. My brother did explain how to change the oil in my car engine and I answered back that he assumed I knew which part of the engine contains the oil.

I did figure out what to do when I removed the old spline (rubber stuff holding the screen to the window frame set in a groove around the frame). The pushing the rubber spline into the groove was the hard part. I never figured out which side was concave and which is convex, they look the same. After 3 hours, 3 band aids, and 2 blisters (1 broke and the skin peeled off), I decided to go shopping before the store closed. When the blister broke I put on my exercise gloves. My hands hurt carrying those sacks to the car. In another 1 1/2 hours, I finished the job at last and the screw head I had in its magnetic holder, when the frustration of this provided tool hit the brink, fell out yet again and slipped through the floor boards on my balcony to tink below. I'm unsure which below neighbor has it. I put on band aid #4.

My cat had a confused episode when he realized the screen was missing from the window. Want to know the best part of all this? I thought I got the wrong color because my screen looked gray and I had bought black. When I removed the spline, the screen underneath was black. That was one dirty screen. I emailed all my pals asking for assistance to do the other screen window that needs replacing. Post later. Bye!

My 4th of July

When my boyfriend picked me up we were outside and Frodo had been chased up a tree by a dog. He offered to climb the tree to get him, but no I said, he is terrified of people and he knows how to get down. We waited and Frodo jumped from branch to branch howling. I think he was trying for a smoother part to climb down at. Precious starts to get impatient and climbs halfway to jump down. Frodo changes branches yet again, shimmies down tree trunk backwards to spin around and jump down. Boyfriend said he never seen a cat do that before. Now he knows why I wasn't worried. His car was very clean inside and out. On the way to my hometown, he asked me if I ever been to my hometown's celebration since I moved to the big city. Yes. He also asked why I wanted to run away from small town living and move to the big city. Uh, there are no apartments, one has to buy a house. If I had to money for a house, I have no objections to living in a small town. I prefer it cause small towns have less pollution that make my allergies act up.

We make it in and wait for the parade to start. Just Dad is there. Mom is with the 4th of July Committee and with the raffle stand guarding the prices (they didn't bring the umbrella stand so she got a bad sunburn). Intros and later my brother-in-law and niece show up so more intros. Watch the parade and dive for candy. No marching band this year. We next eat lunch and go to the park. We try to find Mom and find her after we played the duck pond. The other games required tossing hoops or balls that were a little too advanced for my 3-year-old niece. Mom asked me to get her a lemonade and gave me money for it. Boyfriend came to the stand with me and got a Pepsi. When I gave Mom the lemonade, Boyfriend said that he got confused, he thought my Mom gave me money to buy myself lemonade. I swear after spending over 15 hours with him, his clueless, easily confused, indecisive mind is resembling my stupid coworker everybody hates. And Boyfriend thinks he is going to be a manager at a pet store. Yes, he wants to get out of the grocery business and into pet stores because he placed his resume on monster.com and the only people offering jobs were pet stores.

While watching sand volleyball, he asked if I wanted to get in the game. No, that's why I didn't sign up for the tournament. He didn't want to play either. He asked 4 times if I wanted to get something to drink. I finally explained if I wanted a drink, I would have gotten up and bought one. He said he wanted another Pepsi. OK. He got up and got one. He has an old lawn chair he said he wanted to repair the strips cause they do have kits for that, then said maybe just toss it away and get a new one cause it is hard to open and shut. Whatever. We then went over to the stage to listen to music. He said he tried to sing once and sounded like a frog and never sang again. OK. I didn't go into my choir experience. I sang solo contests and the national anthem at a football game. He asked what there is to do here since I know all about this place. Volleyball, music, rides for kids, and games for kids is about it for the park. No firehose water fights this year. He asked about 3 times where the fireworks were taking place, are they in the park? We looked for a guy in the parade with a sign on an antique car stating he is raffling it off. Never found it. Boyfriend wanted to sign up to win it, so he can give it to his Dad for his birthday. He showed me a picture of his totaled car cause he fell asleep with the cruise control on and explained when one walks away from that wreck that one doesn't ask questions. OK, I don't think his falling asleep had anything with God, but didn't said anything. He showed me another picture of his dead aunt and living father. You keep pictures in your pocket?, I asked. No, he found them cleaning out his car.

After a while, we went back to my parents' house, niece and brother-in-law were trying to take a nap so she could stay up for the fireworks. I fed her cotton candy. Don't worry I only gave a hand full, I know sugar makes kids bounce off the walls. Mom came home a bit and we helped her count money, she spoke to Boyfriend a few minutes while having pie afterwards. We made a night deposit run to the bank for her (bank is on the other side of their yard). She left again. We started a movie and dozed off a few minutes. He apologizes for falling asleep. Went back to the park cause Mom wanted us there so she could eat supper. Niece was asleep so I said, Shhh. Well, Mom didn't need relief so we listened to the last stage performance. Boyfriend asked who draws for the raffle, the mayor? No, just whoever they pick to do it. A few kids did it.
Raffle over, we ask if Mom needed anything taken back to the house. The money. When she comes back, we count the money again and make another deposit run. Niece is awake when we come back and we set off some sparklers. Brother-in-law said everything was packed so I assumed they were leaving. No, just packing. Oh, we can set off more when it gets darker. We wait for darkness to come while chatting and eating parade candy.

Go to the fireworks and sit on the softball field. Almost get burnt when my niece turned a sparkler towards me. Had to turn our chairs to see the fireworks and my niece freaks out at the first boom. She cries to her Daddy to get up and go home, then comes to me, then Grandma. She calms down and back to me, back to Daddy. Still refuses to look at the fireworks. Go back home and finish the sparklers and snakes. Go home. I asked if he was ready for fatherhood after observing my niece. Oh yes, he is excited to have children, bad days and good days just happen. I said I wasn't eager to have children cause I had too much exposure from my nieces to know they are a lot of work. I think he needs more exposure to know what he is getting into.
Since I forgot my camera, I take his picture and he takes mine when we get back. I email my picture to him so he can copy it for his friends to see. He explained that his friends want to see a photo of me and he explains to them that he doesn't have one because we became official only a few weeks ago. I didn't ask what he meant by "official". He stuck around for a half hour. I asked when he planned on leaving. He wanted to play with the cats for a while. He commented how his Mom was concerned about him driving home after dropping me off. He said he will just pull into a rest area if he gets sleepy. Guess he didn't learn from crashing his car cause he fell asleep. Then he said he might go over to his cousin's house and see if anyone is home and go home tomorrow. He doesn't work until 4 PM. When I shut off my computer, he asked if I sent the picture. I think he waiting for that. Anyway, I start turning lights off and say to the kitties, Shall we go to bed now? He says good-bye. Today he emailed that he drove straight home and stopped twice to sleep at a rest stop and got home 8 hours later (it's a 3 hour drive). What a weirdo?! Post later. Bye!

Excitement

We had excitement at my car rental. The TSA agents think they own the airport. Just before I arrived, my coworker was helping a customer when a TSA agent (the people who screen the luggage at the security point) came up and demanded to know if he was the supervisor. No. She orders to speak with him in our backroom. He glances at the other location's manager standing there turning in their timesheets. She asked Madam TSA what the problem is. We have a red car w/out an inspection sheet in the window. Car washers are suppose to check for bombs before driving the cars into the rental lot and place an inspection sheet in the window. She grabs all red car keys and fixes the problem. While she is outside she complains to a cop standing around. My coworker sent an email to the bossman owner cause his complaint of his employees being pulled away from customers would hold more weight than our poor employee whining. All TSA had to do was call the counter on the phone and informed us we had a car w/out an inspection. Like I said, TSA think they own the airport and can order us around in the name of security. I suppose after reading this post, TSA will close all the car rental counters again and confiscate all our box cutters, scissors, and plastic silverware to teach us not to complain. Post later. Bye!